Mike supposed the dry laugh was deserved as blade moved onto Prowlers shoulders, just outside the heads swivel area. Connecting belts and buckles to prowlers frame, and cocooning himself in quick release webbing, Nawlin double checked his systems while Blade finished up. In all honesty, Prowler wasn't doing too hot. Laser damage had taken out a literal half of his cameras and sensors, Coolant was still leaking at 43%, and every move of its "Spine" was damaging muscle fibers. That being said, Prowler was one of two friendly GEARs operating on the battlefield, so mike would run it into the damned dirt if he had to. A quick acknowledgement from blade that he was ready, and mike set off on a steady walk, head down to watch out for foot traffic. Nearing the warehouse, an explosion gave mike a start, moving to block blade, before frowning, and adding a little speed to prowlers march. a tortuous minute later, and mike was dumfounded. Automatically kneeling for blade to disembark, The C.O. floundering for answers while mike Defaulted to Basic Training. mike ordered through the his headset as he began to shift through the rubble. As the reports came in, mike felt relieved until there was silence. [i]Aiden? why isn't he....? Com must be damaged, probably stumbling in the dust somewhere... [/i] mike called as he shifted a scorched cement chunk. silence mike said worriedly. it was then he saw Blade stop and fall back, holding a lump of composite, slowly mike began to understand the material, shape, and what it once was. mikes stomach fell. the force and heat needed to crush and laminate a combat helmet..... mike said with careful control of his voice, as Prowler stood, mike dropped the visor down over his face, thankful that no one could see his face. The next few hours, mike worked tirelessly in prowler wherever salvage and rescue was required, he said little, and stopped only when he was ordered. hours passed as he endlessly played over the last few minutes of the mission. [i]3 GEARs.....Aidens gone....Adrians in the I.C.U. he'll never be back. [/i] This thought continued after returning to base. Attaching Prowler into the bay, mike disconnected the helmet and kept it on as he disembarked. Trudging silently mike handed over all of his weapons to the armory for safe keeping, and then continued to the bar, paying for a 6-pack of the beer Aiden had ordered earlier that day, before planting himself in a Recroom chair, and cracking one open. What could be seen of his face impassive, if one dismissed the streaks leading down his face, he was midway through his second beer before Blade strode in. Mike placed the can on the floor and hauled himself to his feet, denying the fog of grief the satisfaction of his surrender, and giving Blade the respect due, though his stance unsure. By the look of it, blade didn't look very sure of himself either. "Sir" he said in a horse, but steady voice.